Two teenagers were allegedly assaulted with a metal fork by a fellow passenger during a Lufthansa flight from Chicago to Germany, prompting an emergency diversion to Boston.
According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts, 28-year-old Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli allegedly attacked two 17-year-old boys on Lufthansa Flight 431 on Saturday, Oct. 25.
Authorities said one teen, seated in the middle, was lightly sleeping when he awoke to find Usiripalli standing over him. The suspect then allegedly struck the boy in the left clavicle with a fork. Moments later, he reportedly lunged at another 17-year-old sitting nearby, cutting the back of his head with the same utensil. The attacks occurred shortly after the in-flight meal service, prosecutors said.
When flight crew members approached, Usiripalli allegedly made a gun shape with his fingers, placed it in his mouth, and mimed pulling the trigger. Prosecutors also allege he slapped a female passenger and tried to hit a crew member, leading the pilot to divert the plane to Boston Logan International Airport. Usiripalli was arrested upon landing and taken into custody.
He has been charged with one count of assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm while traveling on an aircraft in U.S. jurisdiction — a charge that carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Usiripalli is an Indian national who had entered the United States on a student visa to pursue a master’s degree in biblical studies but currently does not have lawful status in the country.
